Diaphragm paralysis from cervical disc lesions

An opera singer, who "made her living with her diaphragm", developed a post-traumatic unilateral radiculopathy due to cervical disc lesions, C3 to C6. During one year of severe neck and left arm pain she gradually lost the ability to sing difficult operatic passages which brought an end to her music career. Following a three level anterior cervical decompression and fusion, the neck and arm pain was immediately relieved. One week later her voice and singing ability returned to its full strength and power permitting her to resume her activities as a vocalist. The diagnosis of paresis of the left hemi-diaphragm as part of the cervical disc syndrome was implied by postoperative retrospective inference.     

Anterior cervical foraminotomy for unilateral radicular disease

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical series of patients with unilateral radiculopathy treated with the anterior cervical foraminotomy procedure. OBJECTIVE: To establish procedural techniques and clinical and radiologic outcomes for the anterior cervical foraminotomy procedure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical radiculopathy is typically caused by unilateral disc herniation or uncovertebral osteophytes that compress the ventral aspect of the nerve. Direct removal of a cervical lesion causing radicular symptoms without concomitant fusion seems to be an ideal treatment in selected patients. The indications for an anterior cervical neural foraminotomy are limited to unilateral radicular symptoms at one or two levels, with minimal neck pain. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were treated with the anterior cervical neural foraminotomy procedure during a 3-year period with follow-up from 6 to 36 months. There were 13 men and 8 women (age range, 27-58 years). Fourteen patients had symptomatic soft disc herniation, and 7 had uncovertebral osteophytes confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and/or myelogram and computed tomography. Sixteen patients had a single anterior cervical neural foraminotomy, and 5 had procedures at adjacent levels. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (91%) had improved or resolved radicular symptoms, and 2 (9%) had persistent radicular symptoms necessitating further surgery (one two-level anterior cervical neural discectomy and fusion and one posterior foraminal decompression). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with the anterior cervical neural foraminotomy procedure have equivalent or better outcomes than those who undergo current cervical procedures. It appears to be a good alternative procedure for carefully selected patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy and avoids a fusion of the disc space.     

Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换治疗单节段颈椎病的前瞻性临床研究

目的 对Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换和前路单间隙减压融合术治疗颈椎病的临床结果 进行前瞻性对照研究.方法2003年12月至2005年5月连续治疗的59例单间隙脊髓型或神经根型颈椎病患者,随机分为Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换组(Bryan组)和前路减压融合固定组(ACDF组),比较两组手术时间、手术出血量、住院时间等临床数据,同时分别于术后6周和3、6、12、24个月应用颈痛、上肢疼痛视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、颈部功能异常评分指标(NDI)、影像学测量手术节段及整个下颈椎的过伸过曲位角度变化等方法进行疗效评估.结果 两组手术时间、手术出血量、住院时间的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);术后6周和3个月,两组颈痛VAS、NDI的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),其余随访时点两组之间的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).影像学测量:Bryan组置换节段正常活动范围存在,ACDF组置换节段无角度变化;整个下颈椎的屈伸范围,Bryan组在各个随访时段与术前相比无变化(P＞0.05),而ACDF组在术后6周和3个月与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),6个月时逐渐恢复正常.结论 中期随访结果显示,Bryan人工颈椎间盘置换保持了病变节段正常的屈伸活动范围,可以取得与前路减压融合固定相同的临床效果,而且手术后短期内治疗效果优于传统前路减压融合方式.     

Effect of plate position on clinical outcome after anterior cervical spine surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Anterior cervical plates are commonly used to provide immediate stabilization after a variety of cervical spine procedures. It has been assumed that the ideal position for anterior cervical spine plates is centered in the horizontal plane without significant angulation and without overlap of adjacent unfused levels. Nevertheless, postoperative radiographs often demonstrate actual plate position to be lateralized, rotated, or encroaching on the adjacent disc space. There have been no reported systematic studies examining the effect of variations in plate position in a large clinical population. PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between plate position and short-term clinical outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and instrumented fusion (ACDF). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Review of prospectively collected clinical outcomes measures and radiographs. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients undergoing ACDF surgery by a group of spine surgical specialists at a single institution. OUTCOME MEASURES: Direct and calculated plain radiographic measurements, visual analog scores for neck and arm pain, and SF-36 scores. METHODS: The study population included 200 patients undergoing a one-, two-, or three-level ACDF with instrumentation. Thirteen separate direct measurements and two calculated values of plate position on immediate postoperative radiographs, including lateralization, rotation, and proximity to adjacent disc spaces, were performed in blinded fashion by 3 independent reviewers. Statistical correlation with prospectively collected patient outcomes measures, including VAS for neck and arm pain and SF-36 scores, was performed. RESULTS: In the study population, average plate position was 3.3 mm from the cephalad disc space, 6.4 mm from the caudal disc space, 3.9 degrees angulation in the frontal plate, and 26% laterally displaced from the midline. At average 18.6 months of follow-up, no significant association was identified between any plate position measure and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of anterior cervical plating by experienced spine surgeons is associated with variation in terms of plate position on postoperative radiographs. Within the range of positions analyzed in this study, no significant association was found between lateralized or rotated plates or plates placed in proximity to adjacent disc spaces and worse short-term clinical outcomes. It should be emphasized that these results and conclusions are based on relatively short-term clinical follow-up and that the long-term effects of variation in implant position remain unknown.     

Anterior cervical fusion. A review of thirty-three patients with cervical disc degeneration.

Thirty-three patients who had undergone anterior cervical fusion for degenerative disc disease were reviewed to determine the efficacy of the procedure. Only patients who were available for examination and who had undergone operation at least one year previously were included in the review. Nearly all had had arm pain and three-quarters neck pain. Diminished neck movement and neurological abnormalities in the arms had been frequent findings. Diagnosis from the clinical features and plain radiographs is described. Myelography was not used routinely and discography was not used at all. Indications for operation and surgical technique are described. Results show that pain in the neck and arm was relieved in a high proportion of cases and that the neurological abnormalities often recovered. It is concluded that this operation is safe and has a definite place in the relief of pain from cervical disc degeneration resistant to conservative treatment.     

Anterior cervical microdiscectomy with or without fusion

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical microdiscectomy (ACD) is commonly applied in the surgical treatment of cervical disc herniation. However, following discectomy procedure to perform a fusion process is still controversial. Therefore, a controlled, multicentric, prospective, randomized study was designed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Totally 20 patients were operated. Eleven patients were operated with applying simple anterior microdiscectomy technique. Nine patients were operated via ACD and fusion with a semirigid plate technique. Preoperative and postoperative [immediate; postoperative first day and postoperative 1 y (mean 13.95 mo)] computed tomography studies and plain x-rays were obtained. The cervical disc and bilateral neural foramen heights of the operated level and adjacent segments were calculated. Pain assessment was performed using visual analog pain scale. Mann-Whitney statistical analysis method was applied to compare the outcomes for both groups. RESULTS: Satisfactory result was achieved in both groups. The pain scores for major complaint (arm pain) were decreased significantly in all patients after surgery regardless of the type of technique applied. The improvement in neck pain scores was significant only in patients who were treated with fusion procedure. There were no significant changes in disc height and neural foramen height measurements for both groups in adjacent levels in immediate and 1-year postoperative periods. The patients who were operated with simple ACD technique showed no significant decrease at postoperative first day in disc height and neural foramen height. However, the 1-year postoperative radiologic studies showed a significant decrease in disc height and neural foramen dimensions compared with preoperative values. The patients who were treated with fusion process showed a significant increase in disc height and nonsignificant increase in neural foramen heights at immediate postoperative study. However, with time, all dimensions showed significant decrease compared with preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: ACD technique offers satisfactory outcome regardless of whether fusion process is applied or not. Fusion with semirigid plate offers an advantage at operated level in immediate postoperative period in regard of disc height and neural foramen height. However, semirigid anterior plates by definition do not stop subsidence and the advantage that is offered by this technique is not persistent. On the other hand, to apply fusion process with semirigid plate system offers significantly less narrowing in disc height compared with simple ACD technique.     

Clinical long-term results of anterior discectomy without interbody fusion for cervical disc disease

There were 55 patients (soft disc, 21 and spondylosis, 34) who underwent anterior cervical discectomy without fusion (ACD) using an operating microscope. Discectomy of a single level was performed on 48 cases and two levels on 7. There were 37 patients with radiculopathy, and 18 patients with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy who were followed clinically for 2-13 years postoperatively. Overall 81% of patients were improved in soft disc herniation, and no significant differences were noted between the group of radiculopathy and myelopathy. In spondylosis all but one patient reported initial relief of their preoperative symptoms; however, overall improvement was noted in only 16 patients (47%). The causes of symptomatic deterioration after ACD for spondylosis were later symptomatic recurrence in 5 patients, severe neck pain in 4, and development of new symptoms due to adjacent spur formation in 2. The authors eventually added interbody fusion in 4 cases. Cervical spine roentgenograms almost always showed a loss of height of the interspace and an anterior angulation immediately after ACD, but the alignment of the spine tended to improve with time, so that, at last follow-up, 82% had a good alignment. A spontaneous osseous fusion occurred in 74% of cases. An adjacent spur formation was observed in 3 patients with spondylosis. The most troublesome complication was neck and/or scapular pain. This pain usually subsided spontaneously, but this continued for more than 4 years postoperatively in 4 patients with spondylosis. Using an operating microscope ACD is a safe and effective procedure for patients with soft disc herniation, but the authors still prefer anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion for the patients with advanced spondylosis.     

Surgical management of cervical soft disc herniation. A comparison between the anterior and posterior approach

Anterior cervical fusion was initially described in the 1950s for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The indications for this procedure in the management of soft disc herniation have not been clearly defined. In addition, controversy exists as to whether a cervical soft herniation should be managed by an anterior approach or a posterior cervical laminotomy-foraminotomy. The authors report the results of a prospective study comparing anterior discectomy and fusion to posterior laminotomy-foraminotomy for the management of soft cervical disc herniation. Twenty-eight patients underwent anterior discectomy and fusion (Robinson horseshoe graft) while 16 patients underwent posterior laminotomy-foraminotomy. The disc herniations were classified into two types. Type I were single level anterolateral herniations (33 patients) while type II were central soft disc herniations (11 patients). Clinically, patients with type I herniations manifested signs and symptoms of radiculopathy while patients with type II herniations manifested signs of myelopathy or neck pain and bilateral upper extremity paresthesias in 4 patients. Confirmatory studies were myelography in 12 patients, myelography combined with computed tomography (CT) in 26 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 6 patients. For type I herniations, 17 patients underwent anterior fusion while 16 patients had a posterior laminotomy-foraminotomy. The 11 patients classified as type II herniation all underwent anterior discectomy and fusion. There were 27 men and 17 women. The age range was 21 to 52 years (mean, 41 years). The follow-up was 1.6 to 8.2 years (mean, 4.2 years).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

颈椎前纵韧带损伤的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨颈椎前纵韧带损伤的诊断与治疗.方法 2001年3月至2003年7月经影像学证实为前纵韧带损伤的患者46例.患者均在伤后3 h～3 d内摄颈椎正、侧位X线片并行MRI检查.颈椎椎前阴影增宽35例,椎体不稳征象14例.颈椎MRI T<,1>加权像表现为前纵韧带呈灰色或灰白色信号,部分可见连续性中断、增厚;T<,2>加权像表现为椎体前缘增厚的片状纵行不均匀高信号,边界不清晰,部分可见高信号掀起、连续性中断.19例合并脊髓损伤的患者行早期手术治疗.27例单纯颈部疼痛患者中,早期前路手术治疗6例,颈围石膏固定5例,颈托固定16例. 结果 45例患者获6～41个月(平均16.7个月)随访.5例脊髓完全性损伤患者术后有2例转为不完全性损伤,14例脊髓不完全损伤患者术后有10例获得不同程度的好转.21例单纯颈部疼痛患者中,早期手术的6例无神经症状患者随访时未发生颈椎后凸畸形及颈部慢性疼痛症状;21例早期保守治疗的患者中,7例伤后4～6周因存在颈椎不稳征象而行颈椎前路手术,2例伤后2～3年因损伤节段椎间盘退变突出压迫脊髓而行前路减压植骨内固定术,3例有慢性颈部疼痛不适,余8例患者无特殊不适主诉,另1例失访.结论 MRI检查是诊断颈椎前纵韧带损伤最有价值的方法.合并脊髓受压征象或椎间严重不稳的颈椎前纵韧带损伤,可早期行减压融合术;不伴脊髓损伤的颈椎前纵韧带合并椎间盘损伤,可考虑早期行前路椎间盘切除融合术.     

Long-term outcome for surgically treated cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy

Long-term follow-up results were examined to verify the efficacy of anterior osteophytectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy, in particular the outcome for patients with developmentally narrow cervical canals and patients with associated ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). One hundred thirty-nine patients who had undergone anterior osteophytectomy with interbody fusion between 1976 and 1990 were followed up for 1 to 22.5 years (mean 11.4 years). Overall results evaluated by the neurosurgical cervical spine scale scoring and grading showed significant improvement in both improvement score (2.7 +/- 2.3) and improvement rate (52.3 +/- 45.7%). Lower extremity motor function improved in 66.1% of patients, upper extremity motor function in 82.0%, and sensory/pain function in 70.5%. Improvement ranged from one to three grades. Severely affected patients showed good recovery. Outcome for patients with narrow cervical canals (41 patients, 29.5%) did not differ significantly from that for patients with normal canals (98, 70.5%). Patients with associated OPLL (32 patients, 23.0%) had approximately the same outcomes as those with only spondylosis (107, 77.0%). Fifteen patients (10.8%) underwent reoperation because of myelopathy due to disc degeneration adjacent to the fused level (11 patients) or OPLL (4 patients). Anterior osteophytectomy with interbody fusion can achieve good outcomes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy, regardless of the size of the spinal canal and association with OPLL.     

Anterior transvertebral herniotomy for cervical disk herniation

This study analyzed the results of anterior transvertebral herniotomy for cervical disk herniation to assess the utility of this procedure. Anterior transvertebral herniotomy was performed in 24 patients who had cervical disk herniation without spinal canal stenosis. In most patients, a good result was obtained, but simultaneous or subsequent anterior intervertebral fusion was necessary in four patients. In one (4%) patient, the two adjacent vertebrae had fused spontaneously. The best indication for this treatment judging from the postoperative results is a large disk hernia associated with either myelopathy or radiculopathy, but without spinal canal stenosis.     

Single-level cervical radiculopathy: clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of four techniques of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and disc arthroplasty

Although there are several accepted methods of surgical treatment for single-level cervical radiculopathy, the choice depend on the surgeon’s preference. The techniques may vary in peri-operative morbidity, short- and long-term outcome, but no study so far has analyzed their cost-effectiveness. This study might give some insight in balancing cost and effectiveness and deciding the right technique. Sixty consecutive patients (15 each group), mean age 36 (range 24–76 years) with single-level cervical disc disease underwent surgical treatment with four different techniques in two centers over the period of 1999–2005. The four groups were—(1) plate and tricortical autograft, (2) plate, cage, and bone substitute, (3) cage only, and (4) disc arthroplasty. The data was collected prospectively according to our protocol and subsequently analyzed. The clinical outcome was assessed comparing visual analog scale (VAS) of neck pain and, short form 12 (SF12) questionnaire both pre- and postoperatively. The radiological assessment was done for fusion rate and postoperative related possible complications at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and final follow-up. The cost analysis was done calculating the operative time, hospital stay, implant cost together. The mean follow-up period was 31 months (range 28–43 months). The clinical outcome in terms of VAS of neck and arm pain and SF12 physical and mental score improvement (P = 0.001) were comparable with all four techniques. The radiological fusion rate was comparable to current available data. As the hospital stay was longer (average 5 days) with plate and autograft group, the total cost was maximum (average ￡2,920) with this group. There was satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome with all four techniques. Using the cage alone was the most cost-effective technique, but the disc arthroplasty was comparable to the use of cage and plate. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is an established surgical treatment for cervical radiculopathy. Single-level cervical radiculopathy was treated with four different techniques. The clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness were compared in this study.     

Bryan人工颈椎椎间盘置换术治疗颈椎病的中期临床效果及对邻近椎间盘退变的影响

目的观察Bryan人工颈椎椎间盘置换术治疗颈椎病的中期临床效果,研究该术对邻近椎间盘的影响。方法 2004年11月～2007年12月间,对34例颈椎间盘突出症患者共38个节段实施Bryan人工颈椎椎间盘置换术,于术前及术后1周、3个月、6个月、12个月、24个月、36个月、48个月、60个月进行SF-36、颈椎功能障碍指数（neckdisabrlity index,NDI）、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual anatague scale,VAS）评分及Odom标准评定临床效果;于术前、术后12月2、4月3、6月、48月6、0月,用X线椎间盘退变评分系统（0-9分法）评估该手术对邻近椎间盘的影响;记录并发症及再手术的发生情况。结果 Bryan人工颈椎椎间盘置换术后患者症状较术前改善明显,短期临床效果显著。术后36个月和48个月依然保持良好的中期临床效果,中期随访中可见临床效果稍有下降,但末次随访仍保持良好的临床效果。手术未导致椎间盘退变加剧,无严重退行性变发生。无严重并发症及再手术。结论 Bryan人工颈椎椎间盘治疗颈椎病的中期临床效果良好,未导致邻近椎间盘退变加剧。     

Results of posterior cervical foraminotomy for treatment of cervical spondylitic radiculopathy

We evaluated the results of posterior cervical foraminotomy for spondylitic radiculopathy using a questionnaire sent to all 77 patients who had undergone surgery between 1990 and 1995 at our institution. Sixty-two patients (40 male) returned their questionnaires, one of whom had undergone two procedures (dealt with as separate events). Sixty patients complained of pre-operative arm pain; of these 42 (70%) had complete or > 75% resolution of their pain, 14 (23%) had < 75% improvement in their pain and four (7%) had the same or worsened pain at the time of the questionnaire. Sixteen patients (27%) reported initial improvement in symptoms with subsequent deterioration. The mean patient satisfaction score using a linear analogue scale from 0 to 10 was 7.5. Main postoperative complaints were neck pain (22%), persisting motor deficit (6%) and persisting sensory deficit (9%). One patient suffered nerve root damage at surgery. For unilateral and, in some cases, multi-level degenerative disease causing cervical radiculopathy, posterior cervical foraminotomy is a useful technique with the advantage of avoiding fusion, immobilization and the long-term risk of instability.     

The NEtherlands Cervical Kinematics (NECK) Trial. Cost-effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with or without interbody fusion and arthroplasty in the treatment of cervical disc herniation; a double-blind randomised multicenter study

Background  

Patients with cervical radicular syndrome due to disc herniation refractory to conservative treatment are offered surgical treatment. Anterior cervical discectomy is the standard procedure, often in combination with interbody fusion. Accelerated adjacent disc degeneration is a known entity on the long term. Recently, cervical disc prostheses are developed to maintain motion and possibly reduce the incidence of adjacent disc degeneration. A comparative cost-effectiveness study focused on adjacent segment degeneration and functional outcome has not been performed yet. We present the design of the NECK trial, a randomised study on cost-effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with or without interbody fusion and arthroplasty in patients with cervical disc herniation.     

Anterior cervical interbody fusion with radiolucent carbon fiber cages: clinical and radiological results

The authors retrospectively evaluated 30 patients with an anterior cervical interbody fusion for cervical spondylosis or disc herniation. Open box carbon fiber cages were used at 45 levels. The visual analogue scales (VAS), respectively for neck and for arm pain, and the neck disability index (NDI) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Fusion occurred in 87% of the operated levels. Subsidence of the cages into the endplates was observed in 49% of the operated levels, which increased to 54% when more levels were fused. No correlation between subsidence of the cage and clinical outcome or radiographic fusion was established. The authors conclude that cervical discectomy and interbody fusion using an open box carbon fiber cage is a satisfactory treatment option for degenerative cervical disease causing neck pain and radiculopathy, despite the relatively high percentage of subsidence of this cage.     

A new minimally invasive posterior approach for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy: surgical technique and preliminary results

Degenerative cervical disorders predominantly lead to anterior spinal cord compression (by bony spurs at the posterior margin of the vertebral body or by degenerated disc), which may be central and/or foraminal. In a smaller percentage of cases, there is encroachment of the canal mainly from posterior by bulging yellow ligaments or bony appositions, resulting in compression syndromes of roots or spinal cord. The aim of this work is to present a minimally invasive posterior approach avoiding detachment of muscles for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Thirteen patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy (four patients) or myelopathy (nine patients) were operated according to this technique. In principle, the technique secures access to the diseased spinal segment via a percutaneously placed working channel (11 mm outer diameter and 9 mm inner diameter). The cervical paraspinal muscles are not deflected, but just spread between their fibres by special dilators. All further steps are performed through this channel under control of three-dimensional vision through the operating microscope. The mean follow-up period was 17 months (one patient died 9 months postoperatively), and patients were evaluated using a modified version of the Oswestry Index, called the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain. The mean NDI (P<0.0001) improved from 13.2 (preoperatively) to 4.8 (postoperatively). The VAS for arm pain (P<0.001) and for neck pain (P<0.001) also showed marked postoperative improvement. Complete recovery of the preoperative neurological deficit was found in four patients, while the remaining eight patients showed improvement of the neurological symptoms during the follow-up period. There were no intra-operative or postoperative complications and no re-operation. The preliminary experience with this technique, and the good clinical outcome, seem to promise that this minimally invasive technique is a valid alternative to the conventional open exposure for treatment of lateral disc prolapses, foraminal bony stenosis and central posterior ligamentous stenosis of the cervical spine.     

Outcome scores in degenerative cervical disc surgery

Forty-six consecutive patients with neck pain and arm radiculopathy were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. All patients had neurological symptoms corresponding to a herniated disc and/or spondylosis at one or two cervical levels, verified by magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were stabilized with an anterior graft and randomized to either fixation with a CSLP plate or no internal fixation. Preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively the patients filled in a questionnaire that included a modified Million Index, a modified Oswestry Index and the Zung Depression Scale. They were also asked to register their pain in the arm and in the neck on a vertical visual analogue scale (VAS). At the 2-year follow-up, an unbiased observer graded the patients’ clinical outcome using Odom’s criteria. A test-retest procedure was carried out to examine the questionnaire reproducibility. In the group that was operated at one level, there was no significant improvement in any of the scores. Nevertheless, 81% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. All scores improved in the group operated at two levels. The pain in the neck and arm, as measured on a VAS, decreased in both groups. The improvement in arm pain was significantly more pronounced in patients operated with a plate at two levels compared to those who were operated without a plate. At the 2-year follow-up, patients with an excellent or good result according to Odom’s criteria had a lower Million Index ¶(P < 0.0005), Oswestry Index (P < 0.0005), and Zung (P = 0.024) score, than the group classified as fair or poor. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.0001 for all scores) between the test and retest results. We conclude that the modified Million Index and Oswestry Index are clinically useful tools in the evaluation of outcome after degenerative cervical disc surgery. The clinical benefits of plate fixation were minimal. The outcome after surgery, measured with the Oswestry Index, Million Index and VAS for arm and neck pain, seems to correlate well with the classification of outcome by Odom.     

颈椎前路减压人工颈椎间盘置换术与融合术治疗单节段颈椎间盘突出症的短期疗效比较

背景：颈前路椎间盘切除植骨融合术（ACDF）能够为有症状的颈椎病患者提供较好的治疗效果,但颈椎融合可导致相邻节段椎间盘内部应力增加,加速邻近节段椎间盘的退变。颈椎人工椎间盘置换术（ACDR）作为最具代表性的颈椎前路非融合技术,为颈椎间盘突出症的治疗提供了另外一种外科手段。目的：比较ACDR和ACDF治疗单节段颈椎间盘突出症的临床效果。方法：2009年1月至2012年2月,61例单节段颈椎间盘突出症患者接受Discover人工颈椎间盘置换手术（置换组,26例）或ACDF手术（融合组,35例）。分别在术前,术后1周,术后3、6、12及24个月对患者进行疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、日本矫形外科协会（JOA）评分及影像学评估,同时记录患者并发症及二次手术情况。结果：最终,52例患者（融合组29例,置换组23例）获得平均15.3个月（12-24个月）随访。两组患者术后各随访时间点的颈痛、上肢痛VAS和JOA评分,较术前均有改善（P〈0.05）,但两组间无显著统计学差异（P〉0.05）。置换组术后手术节段及邻近节段屈伸活动度与术前比较无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。融合组融合成功率为90.5%。置换组中2例患者术后6个月时假体有〈3 mm的前移,l例术后发生脑脊液漏。融合组中1例患者发生邻椎病并接受二次手术治疗。结论：单节段Discover人工颈椎间盘置换术和ACDF均可明显缓解颈椎间盘突出症患者的症状。间盘置换还能减少手术邻近节段代偿活动度的增加,有望预防相邻节段退变的发生。     

Serial changes in signal intensities of the adjacent discs on T2-weighted sagittal images after surgical treatment of cervical spondylosis: anterior interbody fusion versus expansive laminoplasty

Summary  Background. There have been many reports about newly developed degenerative changes in the adjacent segments after anterior interbody fusion. It is a controversial issue whether the adjacent-segment disease in patients treated by anterior interbody fusion is the result of progressive cervical spondylosis at the adjacent levels or is caused by the arthrodesis. The aim of this study is to clarify the difference in postoperative effect on the adjacent segments between anterior interbody fusion and expansive laminoplasty.  Method. This study included 14 patients who underwent pre- and postoperative MR images at 6 and 12 months. Seven patients underwent cervical interbody fusion and the other 7 patients underwent expansive laminoplasty. Disc degeneration was evaluated semiquantitatively by calculating the degenerative index (DI) that is a ratio of the intensity in the disc to that in the upper cervical cord.  Findings. In the anterior interbody fusion group, the adjacent disc intensities decreased within 12 months (F=20.42; P<0.01). The pre-operative mean DI was 0.59±0.16. The post-operative mean DIs were 0.56±0.16 at 6 months and 0.47±0.16 at 12 months. In the expansive laminoplasty group, the signal intensities of both the adjacent discs and the discs within the range of laminoplasty had no serial changes during the same period (F=2.67; P=0.09 and F=0.15; P=0.87 respectively).  Interpretation. Anterior interbody fusion had a significant influence on the adjacent discs even as soon as 12 months after surgery, but laminoplasty had no influence on them during the same period.